Enhancing disaster risk reduction competencies among school educators: an academic hub and certification initiative for prospective teachers

The establishment of an academic hub and certification initiative for prospective teachers presents a viable solution to address gaps in disaster risk reduction (DRR) education by offering structured and comprehensive training. Miyagi University of Education (MUE), situated in Sendai, Japan, a region affected by disasters, has been at the forefront of promoting DRR education across teacher training universities nationwide. This study explores the role of a university hub in facilitating the implementation of DRR education and examines the foundational organization established within MUE and its collaborative efforts with related institutions. The integration of DRR education into teacher training courses is introduced, and the DRR education certification system initiated by MUE is elaborated. The curriculum includes a foundational course on school DRR delivered in an omnibus-style format by faculty across multiple disciplines, enabling students to approach DRR from interdisciplinary perspectives. Under this system, students participate in DRR educational activities, and their learning outcomes are certified at beginner and advanced levels, addressing both content-related and operational challenges. The study highlights the ongoing challenges and initiatives necessary to sustain a university’s qualification system, including monitoring students’ progress, ensuring coherence and balance of learning content across courses, and developing effective class-management strategies. The study aims to inspire similar institutionalization efforts in other educational contexts while leveraging unique factors, such as proximity to disaster-affected areas and partnerships with relevant organizations. It further examines the foundational organization established within MUE and its collaborative efforts with related institutions. This study introduces the integration of DRR education into teacher training courses and elaborates on the DRR education certification system initiated by MUE. Under this system, students participate in DRR educational activities, and their learning outcomes are certified at beginner and advanced levels, thereby addressing both content-related and operational challenges.